Though she’d held her head high as his demeanor had done an about-face, she hadn’t hidden the disappointment in her eyes. They had a connection; there was no denying it. He’d let himself get swept up in the magnetic energy dancing between them, and he’d forgotten his no vampires rule. He’d forgotten himself.
His quick exit had been for his own benefit, and he’d disregarded her feelings. He’d been an ass, and he owed her an apology.
Lying on her side, Lilith held the pillow against her head, trying to drown out the incessant pounding noise. It had been two days since the speed dating incident, and the stupid seed Venus planted in her mind had already grown into a sapling.
Could Spencer be her soulmate?
No, the idea was preposterous. A soulmate—if they even existed—would never run out on the person fate chose for him. Not like that, with no explanation. Of course, he hadn’t needed to explain anything. His facial expression alone had sent the message loud and clear.
Percival flew into the room and landed on her hip, pecking at her arm. Caw, caw.
“Leave me alone. Can’t you see I’m wallowing in self-pity?”
He hopped onto her shoulder and pecked at her hand, which was holding the pillow against the side of her head.
“Percival, please.” She tossed the pillow aside, and the pounding intensified.
“Lilith, I know you’re in there,” Eve’s voice drifted in through the windowpane. “Either let me in, or I’m going to bust down your door.”
She groaned and rolled out of bed. “I’m coming.”
Poor Esther hadn’t moved since the last time Lilith returned her to her terrarium, and she stopped, resting her hands on the cool glass as she gazed at her companion. “I’m sorry I failed you.”
“Lilith!” Eve shrieked from outside the front door.
“No one has any patience these days.” She paced to the living room and opened the door.
Eve and Deirdre stood on the stoop. Concern tightened Deirdre’s eyes, but Eve parked her hands on her hips and shook her head. “It’s about damn time.” Without waiting for an invitation, she marched inside, and Deirdre followed.
“What in Lucifer’s realm is going on with you?” Eve sank onto the sofa and crossed her legs. “We haven’t heard from you in two days.”
“We were worried.” Deirdre sat next to Eve.
Lilith curled into the dark blue accent chair, folding her legs beneath her. “It’s Venus’s fault. If she hadn’t coerced him into playing, I…”
“By him, do you mean Spencer?” Deirdre asked.
“Of course she means Spencer.” Eve squared her gaze on Lilith. “Venus told us everything. You met your soulmate.”
Lilith scoffed. “That’s what she told you, is it? As if that could happen.”
Deirdre folded her hands in her lap. “How’s Esther. Has she shown any signs of improvement?”
“She ate the mouse I left for her while I was playing that horrid game, but by the time I got home, she’d returned to her rock and still refuses to move. I don’t think having a little fun every now and then is going to save her. I need to do something else.”
Eve screwed her mouth over to one side. “Do you?—”
“What about The Fang and Flask?” Lilith asked. “I could work behind the bar, mixing drinks.”
Wariness flickered in her eyes, and she fought a lip curl. “Umm… We’re not hiring.”
“Really? You seemed short-staffed when I was there.”
Eve leaned forward to pat her knee. “No offense, hon, but do you remember what happened when you filled in for someone a while back? We had to buy a new blender after that.”
“I didn’t know how to use the machine. I can learn.”
“What happened?” Deirdre asked.
